Parachute having an improved multi-cell canopy

• US 4,191,349 A
• Filed: 07/19/1978
• Issued: 03/04/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cabinet Lavoix
• Original Assignee: Cabinet Lavoix
• Inventors: Pravaz, Marcel H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelmachter, Barry L.
• Application Number:
  US05/926,523
• Time in Patent Office: 594 Days
• Field of Search: 244/145, 244/142, 244/152, 244/DIG. 1
• US Class Current: 244/145
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 17/025 for gliding chutes

Abstract

The multi-cell canopy of the gliding wing type comprises an upper wall and a lower wall interconnected by ribs forming partition wall defining parallel cells open on the leading edge of the wing. Parachute control lines are secured to the trailing edge for deforming a part of the latter which forms a plain flap. The canopy comprises in its upper wall at least one air outlet passage which has the shape of a rearwardly facing slot so as to direct a laminar current of air tangentially of the upper wall.

Claims

1. A parachute having a multi-cell canopy of the gliding wing type having a leading edge and trailing edge, comprising an upper wall and a lower wall, a part of the upper wall and a part of the lower wall defining therebetween an opening adjacent the leading edge for entry of air which inflates the canopy, a part of the upper wall and a part of the lower wall also defining therebetween a plain flap adjoining the trailing edge, an air outlet passage in the shape of a slot in the upper wall, the slot being located in a region of said part of the upper wall defining the flap a little in front of the trailing edge relative to the direction of gliding, an opening in the lower wall and communicating with said outlet passage, a closing wall extending from the lower wall to the upper wall for closing a part of the canopy located in front of said opening in the lower wall relative to the direction of gliding, the part of the canopy forming said flap being open in a front part and communicating with said opening of the lower wall.

2. A parachute having a multi-cell canopy of the gliding wing type having a leading edge and trailing edge, comprising an upper wall and a lower wall, ribs forming partition walls interconnecting the upper wall and the lower wall and defining substantially parallel cells which are open on the leading edge, a plain flap adjoining the trailing edge and defined by a part of the upper wall and a part of the lower wall, parachute control lines secured to the trailing edge to permit a deformation of the plain flap, at least one rearwardly facing air outlet passage provided in the upper wall and communicating directly with the interior of one of said cells and having an outlet orifice in the shape of a slot which is substantially parallel to the trailing edge so as to direct a laminar air current tangentially of the upper wall, said at least one slot-shaped orifice being defined by structure comprising a first part of the upper wall extending from the leading edge in the direction of the trailing edge to a first edge for said passage, a second part of the upper wall which extends toward the trailing edge from a second edge located a little in front of said first edge relative to the direction of gliding, a portion of said first part of the upper wall adjoining said first edge being in overlying relation to a portion of said second part of the upper wall adjoining said second edge, a second air outlet passage in the shape of a slot in the upper wall, the slot of the second air outlet passage being located in a region of said part of the upper wall defining the flap a little in front of the trailing edge relative to the direction of gliding, an opening in the lower wall and communicating with said second outlet passage, a closing wall extending from the lower wall to the upper wall for closing a part of the cell located in front of said opening in the lower wall relative to the direction of gliding, a remaining rear part of the cell forming said flap being open in the front part of said rear part of the cell and communicating with said opening of the lower wall.

3. A parachute as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one slot-shaped orifice is located between 1/4 and 1/3 of the depth of the canopy, the air supplying said at least one outlet passage coming from the interior of each cell of the canopy across which cell said slot extends.

4. A parachute as claimed in claim 2, wherein said opening of the lower wall and the second air outlet passage slot are so adapted and arranged that the cell part forming the flap has a leading edge having an orientation which is substantially the same as the orientation of the leading edge of the canopy, said closing wall extending from the lower wall to the upper wall being at an angle suitable for orienting the airflow tangentially of the flap-defining part of the upper wall in an optimum path for obtaining maximum aerodynamic efficiency of the canopy.

5. A parachute as claimed in claim 2 or 4, wherein each slot has a length which does not exceed the width of a cell.

6. A parachute as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second air outlet passages are provided only in the cells located at the trailing edge of the canopy.